August/September
Good Morning -
Where has the year gone?
The main theme of the year has been our next door neighbors, Gay and Ray. They have had a manufactured home situated on the upper and lower pastures. They just recently moved in. Their contractor told them they would be in in March. So they sold their home in Yakima and moved. They were living in their camper. Now, that’s a story. Maybe one or two volumes worth. Maybe three.
This has been the year of the gopher. Year before last they came up in the strawberry bed, looked around and departed. Last year I dedicated a bed to artichokes. The gophers disagreed. They like artichokes and cleaned me out. This year they started with the romaine lettuce, knocking off six heads in one bed. Then they shifted to another bed and cleaned out the peas. Then another bed where they cleaned out the zucchini and squash. Then they went to another bed where they sampled the green beans and passed on them. To another bed where they cleaned out two rows of carrots, some radishes, then shifted to broccoli and then to two peppers. They left the bed with two pepper plants standing. What did they not eat? The potatoes did fine. The tomatoes are doing okay. One bed was dedicated to A.J. and her flowers and cocktail tomatoes. She also planted a lima bean plant. These all did fine. But this bed also had the zucchini and the squash mentioned above. So, I have been discovered. It is time to redesign the beds.
A.J. grew the lima bean plant in school. We gave her one raised bed. She planted tons of sun flowers, tomatoes, snap dragons. It was a jungle. She also planted the lima bean plant. Did I mention? It now has one pod about seven inches long.
For Father’s Day Daughter Jennifer got a bargain on some trees. She didn’t count them. There were 75 Ponderosa Pine. Now, this is a formidable problem for that time of year. Too hot. I gave 35 away to the neighbors, planted 20 on this side of the creek and 20 on the other side. I have been watering by hand. I have discovered this is a very healthy practice. The other side of the creek is a hillside. It takes an hour and a half to water the 20 there. I have two watering cans, two gallons each. I fill a small ten gallon barrel and the two cans. I make four trips up the hill and one trip along the creek where I water trees I planted last year. In July I would return sweat soaked. So far I have lost two trees on each side of the creek.
By the middle of August, the days are getting shorter and the trees are less desperate for water. I am hoping I lose no more.
After our neighbor’s construction the theme of the year has been our renovation. Not necessarily in this order we moved the laundry room to the sun room, put a new roof on the sun room, leveled the floor in the kitchen, put down new linoleum, put a new entrance into the kitchen and expanded the deck by 100 square feet.
We bought a wood stove and it is scheduled to be installed next week. In clearing land for the neighbor’s home, there were some trees given to me. With the help of Ray I was able to buck them and have been cutting up the rounds for wood. Out in the scar are a few rows of cut wood.
This was also the year of the lizard. They arrived early, multiplied rapidly, and are everywhere, scuttling across the grass, driveway, raiding garden beds, trying to get into the house, Annie’s cage, porch and on and on, little, big, some skinks, some alligator, some curious, some fearful. I think they have reduced the fly population.
We also have fewer bees. Almost no homey bees. Few bumble bees. The mid sized ones seem to be holding their own. Few wild black bees and few yellow jackets. I think there are fewer of the last two because of the ground that has been churned up. I expect they will be back in full force next year.
Sun flowers were planted in a few of the raised beds. Most are full grown now. Solitary heads, multiple heads, colored heads. The chickadees come in, light near the head or on the head, pry loose a seed, then scamper off to a nearby tree to eat their prize. Then back again. Two jays are also showing up. We have two feeders with sunflower seed. This time of year, the birds prefer fresh.
It has been a slow year for tomatoes. The Brandywines are just now coming on.
It has been hot. And dry. I remember working in hay fields and watching any stray clouds and praying for rain. It is the same. I yearn for rain, the sound, the humidity, to join in the sigh of all living creatures.
Have a good week,
Sharon & Marc
Friday, September 12, 2008
Sunday, March 2, 2008
Landed in Oregon XXVII
Good Morning -
February 18, 2008
A dog named Buddy
Came to live with me.
He moved to the country
Where he could run free.
He likes it here
It’s plain to see.
Lucky dog. Lucky me.
by Sharon Rivers
February 19, 2008
Sharon sang her song to Amelia. Amelia sang the song, ending “Lucky dog, Lucky flea.”
February 20, 2008
Sharon’s birthday. Emeralds.
February 21, 2008
Raining. Started digging post holes for Buddy’s pen.
Last week of February.
Flu, stomach flu, intestinal flu. Diarrhea and vomiting. At the same time.
Getting better.
Sharon, sitting in her chair, looking Buddy in the eye: Buddy, you’ve got to stop drinking out of the toilet or I might have to stop kissing you!
March 3, 2008
Expect daffodils to start blooming mid week.
Have a good week,
Sharon & Marc
February 18, 2008
A dog named Buddy
Came to live with me.
He moved to the country
Where he could run free.
He likes it here
It’s plain to see.
Lucky dog. Lucky me.
by Sharon Rivers
February 19, 2008
Sharon sang her song to Amelia. Amelia sang the song, ending “Lucky dog, Lucky flea.”
February 20, 2008
Sharon’s birthday. Emeralds.
February 21, 2008
Raining. Started digging post holes for Buddy’s pen.
Last week of February.
Flu, stomach flu, intestinal flu. Diarrhea and vomiting. At the same time.
Getting better.
Sharon, sitting in her chair, looking Buddy in the eye: Buddy, you’ve got to stop drinking out of the toilet or I might have to stop kissing you!
March 3, 2008
Expect daffodils to start blooming mid week.
Have a good week,
Sharon & Marc
Monday, February 18, 2008
Landed in Oregon XXVI
Good Morning -
February 12, 2008
Walked up to get the mail. 100 yards. In the trees near the top of the hill live the doves. They like the dirt road. I think for gravel, dusting and sunning. It is hard to believe (like quail) that in some states doves are game birds.
Yesterday Buddy chased the turkeys. They saw him. He didn’t see them. I kept pointing. He would look at my finger. Finally I held his head. After a long while he saw them. They nearly got away. He closed the distance quickly. They squawked and flew. He loved it. Saw nary a one today.
February 13, 2008
We have woodpeckers working the snag in the lower pasture. We also had the arrival of a dozen reconnoitering robins. Buddy chased them both.
February 14, 2008
County official arrived today to look over the lower pasture holes that are soil samples as part of the drain field system. Buddy and I went out to say hi. Like so many people he said Buddy was a good looking critter. But Buddy would not be petted. Earlier, he would cringe. This time the kept out of reach more like a puppy.
When we got him he would heel closely -- like Shadow. Like a teenager he runs -- galloping like a herd of horses -- Gallop. Herd. He runs full out -- like a Jet, or even a Black Jet or Flash. Gotta Run. Watching Sharon and I eat he drool Drool. When put in the garden he tries to dig out -- Digger. He loves to walk in the creek -- Wader. He can’t just stay in one room on the house. He got to check what I’m doing, and Sharon, and Manny and Capper. Nosey. When he checks, he doesn’t just go and do it. He sneaks. Sneaky. He also has got to itch. Gotta Itch. He was clearly abused as a puppy. He fears lots of things. A Scaredy Dog. He is still too much of a puppy to be a vain young male. Soon enough.
He discovered the squirrel that raids the bird feeders. The squirrel evades him. He loves it. He now watches for the squirrel and other critters. On his own today he went out to the squirrel path and peed. First time on his own! (Embarrasses me to say it.) We have been holding his paw -- so to speak. He patrols out there. Very proud. Big chest. Ears cocked. He wants to do the same with the cats in the house. We disappoint him.
February 17, 2008.
Yesterday and today, clear skies. Above sixty. First yellow crocus today! Cut stove wood from some of the downed trees. Plan to plant peas before end of the month. Sharon is walking Buddy several times a day. Good for both of them. She has had what is probably the flu. It is going around. My theory is that some viruses migrate each winter. They go from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. There was a time when the Isthmus of Panama did not exist and the viruses would just follow the current. Now they must travel overland. They hitch rides with people. People are just bags of water so the viruses travel from person to person. They can’t be too deadly because then they would lose their source of transportation. Our winter influenza viruses are the original Snow Birds. There was this virus named Sam...
Have a good week,
Marc & Sharon
February 12, 2008
Walked up to get the mail. 100 yards. In the trees near the top of the hill live the doves. They like the dirt road. I think for gravel, dusting and sunning. It is hard to believe (like quail) that in some states doves are game birds.
Yesterday Buddy chased the turkeys. They saw him. He didn’t see them. I kept pointing. He would look at my finger. Finally I held his head. After a long while he saw them. They nearly got away. He closed the distance quickly. They squawked and flew. He loved it. Saw nary a one today.
February 13, 2008
We have woodpeckers working the snag in the lower pasture. We also had the arrival of a dozen reconnoitering robins. Buddy chased them both.
February 14, 2008
County official arrived today to look over the lower pasture holes that are soil samples as part of the drain field system. Buddy and I went out to say hi. Like so many people he said Buddy was a good looking critter. But Buddy would not be petted. Earlier, he would cringe. This time the kept out of reach more like a puppy.
When we got him he would heel closely -- like Shadow. Like a teenager he runs -- galloping like a herd of horses -- Gallop. Herd. He runs full out -- like a Jet, or even a Black Jet or Flash. Gotta Run. Watching Sharon and I eat he drool Drool. When put in the garden he tries to dig out -- Digger. He loves to walk in the creek -- Wader. He can’t just stay in one room on the house. He got to check what I’m doing, and Sharon, and Manny and Capper. Nosey. When he checks, he doesn’t just go and do it. He sneaks. Sneaky. He also has got to itch. Gotta Itch. He was clearly abused as a puppy. He fears lots of things. A Scaredy Dog. He is still too much of a puppy to be a vain young male. Soon enough.
He discovered the squirrel that raids the bird feeders. The squirrel evades him. He loves it. He now watches for the squirrel and other critters. On his own today he went out to the squirrel path and peed. First time on his own! (Embarrasses me to say it.) We have been holding his paw -- so to speak. He patrols out there. Very proud. Big chest. Ears cocked. He wants to do the same with the cats in the house. We disappoint him.
February 17, 2008.
Yesterday and today, clear skies. Above sixty. First yellow crocus today! Cut stove wood from some of the downed trees. Plan to plant peas before end of the month. Sharon is walking Buddy several times a day. Good for both of them. She has had what is probably the flu. It is going around. My theory is that some viruses migrate each winter. They go from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean. There was a time when the Isthmus of Panama did not exist and the viruses would just follow the current. Now they must travel overland. They hitch rides with people. People are just bags of water so the viruses travel from person to person. They can’t be too deadly because then they would lose their source of transportation. Our winter influenza viruses are the original Snow Birds. There was this virus named Sam...
Have a good week,
Marc & Sharon
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Landed in Oregon XXV
Good Morning -
December 17 & 18. Training in Ashland. Across the valley 50 miles. This morning the egrets were clustered. Sometimes they spread, tiny, single white dots.
Mornings in the low 40’s. Rain. The creek is starting to rise. With Pass Creek it has to do with saturation of the ground. At the beginning of winter we can have a lot of rain. The creek will barely change. Once the creek starts rising then it also will be very responsive to the rain. It rains: the creek rises. The rain stops: the creek falls.
Lunch at the Dragon Fly in Ashland. A “fusion” of Mexican and eastern foods. Quite good.
While we were away, the boys, either in play or in freaking out, tore the house up a bit. Stuff off shelves. On floor. Some broken.
No evidence yet of house construction stuff to the north.
December 19, 2007
Stocking are all hung on the mantle. Tree has been up since last weekend. Christmas cards are all mailed. Sharon has been a ball of fire.
December 27, 2007
Shazam! Time flew. A.J. and Jennifer and Heather for Christmas. Mike for a second Christmas. Presents galore. A dusting of snow. Three days and a roast, a turkey and a ham. Don’t know what we will eat for New Years. (Leftovers, maybe.)
Received Buddy, a black Lab, from the Eagle Point Raders. Little A.J. leading big Buddy around.
A forked horn went by the day before Christmas.
Slept in this morning. Starting last night, the snow is accumulating. This afternoon the snow level is forecast to rise.
A present from Jennifer is Blake or Bailey or who knows, a year and a half old black lab mix with some other dog. From the pound. He has the big bones of a lab. Presently he is about half the size of a full grown male lab. We gave him several names. Currently we are calling him Buddy. Although he has shown no interest in felines, the cats are not happy. He knows several commands and some we do not know.
January 2, 2008
Cappy and Mr. Manners will come into the house when Buddy is there. They ignore him and he “does not see them.” Buddy had kennel cough when we got him. Much better now. Pleasure to watch him run. The cats now look at Buddy like he is really, really ugly.
Buddy is a pack rat. When inside during the night, he collects stuff and carries it to his bed. He doesn’t chew on it. We thought of calling him Thumper because of his Lab tail. Maybe we need to call him The Collector. A retriever.
Buddy heels very, very well. We are thinking of calling him Shadow.
His coloring is that of the original Labradors. Fishermen would use them to pull their nets in. Actually he has the weight of a mature Lab, but their weight can go well above 100 pounds.
Mrs. A. started the new year by cleaning the bathroom. What does this signify for the new year? It was a quiet day. We put away Christmas stuff.
This was the year U. of O. won the Sun Bowl. Michigan also won their bowl. As did U.S.C. win the Rose Bowl. It was the year, earlier in the season, that U.O. beat both U.S.C. and Michigan. Therein lies a tale.
Mornings have been running at 25. Annie is doing fine. She enjoys her slice of whole wheat bread like I do my morning coffee.
January 6 or so. Snow. Five inches.
January 7, 2008. Rain, but cold enough it did not melt much of the snow.
January 8, 2008
Heard Buddy’s first growl. He was having a nightmare.
You know, sometimes I have nothing to say because there is nothing to say. Then there are times when things to say are there, but I am not. And then there are times when there is too much to say. I am in one of the above times.
January 25, 2008
Brat has gone on to a greener pasture. Nearly exactly a year ago his brother Dini (as in Houdini) died. It was a rainy, snowy day. I buried him in the lower pasture. Although the weather was miserable I had heard that the surviving goat would not do well, and so I dug another hole for Brat. I marked it with a white stake. Today I filled the hole in. John the contractor knew we wanted to keep Brat or find a home for him. He talked with his crew. His carpenter had a grandfather who had 80 acres, fruit trees and blackberry vines, and other goats. The carpenter’s name was Chris. He came today and picked up Brat. In the pickup, with a bucket of grain to eat from, Brat put up no fight at all. Sharon sent a letter to the grandfather, requesting visitation rights. Chris assured Sharon there would be no problem at all.
January 26, 2008
Tree cutting started in earnest this morning.
Jennifer and America visited this afternoon. The roads were clear from the highway to the house. Amelia, touring the lower pasture with Grammy, looked at the stumps and downed trees and said, “The trees are sad.”
January 31, 2008 -- Shazam! The last day of January. Time fleets. Shazam!
The upper pasture was filled with all kinds of markers, little red flags. Next slide. They drilled a well. One day. Fifty gallons a minute. Next slide. We boxed Brat into a smaller pasture. I salvaged metal gates. Cut off the electric feed to the barn. They took out the barn. But the shed was attached. It came out too. Time for Brat to go. He retired to 60 acres of apple trees and black berry bushes. I filled in Brat’s pre-dug burial hole. Next slide. We have a couple of piles of debris and a couple of deep holes for drain field purposes. Next slide. We mark trees. The cutter comes. A logging show. Next slide. A stack of logs. Next slides. Loading dump trucks to haul away piles of debris.
It rained and filled the wheel barrow. Then it froze. Then I needed to use the barrow to haul hay from the barn that was going to be demolished. I dumped the ice on the ground. That was two or so weeks ago. The ice is still there. All kinds of weather. This week we are receiving a new storm each day.
For weather change fans, in January California, Oregon and Washington each received gusts of wind above 100 miles per hour. In northern California, one gust reached 167 miles per hour.
Buddy does not know how to retrieve.
I have never thought about it before, but for Buddy I learned it was a good thing that that family took him to the Pound. Some persons should not have pets.
We are going to have Neighbors to the North. They will own the family sequoias. Should I plant two more, a Gay Sequoia and a Howard Sequoia?
January 12, 2008
A colonoscopy yesterday. They just knock you out and wake you up and send you home. Awaiting testing on polyps. Get a call in a couple of weeks.
While purging, learned again of my addiction to coffee. While signing in at the hospital found myself entranced by the clerk’s coffee cup. Newly learned that I have picked up habit of (more) snacking. While purging found myself initiating thoughts and behaviors directed getting this snack or that snack.
Ham and eggs tonight! Life doesn’t get much better.
Have a good week!
Marc
December 17 & 18. Training in Ashland. Across the valley 50 miles. This morning the egrets were clustered. Sometimes they spread, tiny, single white dots.
Mornings in the low 40’s. Rain. The creek is starting to rise. With Pass Creek it has to do with saturation of the ground. At the beginning of winter we can have a lot of rain. The creek will barely change. Once the creek starts rising then it also will be very responsive to the rain. It rains: the creek rises. The rain stops: the creek falls.
Lunch at the Dragon Fly in Ashland. A “fusion” of Mexican and eastern foods. Quite good.
While we were away, the boys, either in play or in freaking out, tore the house up a bit. Stuff off shelves. On floor. Some broken.
No evidence yet of house construction stuff to the north.
December 19, 2007
Stocking are all hung on the mantle. Tree has been up since last weekend. Christmas cards are all mailed. Sharon has been a ball of fire.
December 27, 2007
Shazam! Time flew. A.J. and Jennifer and Heather for Christmas. Mike for a second Christmas. Presents galore. A dusting of snow. Three days and a roast, a turkey and a ham. Don’t know what we will eat for New Years. (Leftovers, maybe.)
Received Buddy, a black Lab, from the Eagle Point Raders. Little A.J. leading big Buddy around.
A forked horn went by the day before Christmas.
Slept in this morning. Starting last night, the snow is accumulating. This afternoon the snow level is forecast to rise.
A present from Jennifer is Blake or Bailey or who knows, a year and a half old black lab mix with some other dog. From the pound. He has the big bones of a lab. Presently he is about half the size of a full grown male lab. We gave him several names. Currently we are calling him Buddy. Although he has shown no interest in felines, the cats are not happy. He knows several commands and some we do not know.
January 2, 2008
Cappy and Mr. Manners will come into the house when Buddy is there. They ignore him and he “does not see them.” Buddy had kennel cough when we got him. Much better now. Pleasure to watch him run. The cats now look at Buddy like he is really, really ugly.
Buddy is a pack rat. When inside during the night, he collects stuff and carries it to his bed. He doesn’t chew on it. We thought of calling him Thumper because of his Lab tail. Maybe we need to call him The Collector. A retriever.
Buddy heels very, very well. We are thinking of calling him Shadow.
His coloring is that of the original Labradors. Fishermen would use them to pull their nets in. Actually he has the weight of a mature Lab, but their weight can go well above 100 pounds.
Mrs. A. started the new year by cleaning the bathroom. What does this signify for the new year? It was a quiet day. We put away Christmas stuff.
This was the year U. of O. won the Sun Bowl. Michigan also won their bowl. As did U.S.C. win the Rose Bowl. It was the year, earlier in the season, that U.O. beat both U.S.C. and Michigan. Therein lies a tale.
Mornings have been running at 25. Annie is doing fine. She enjoys her slice of whole wheat bread like I do my morning coffee.
January 6 or so. Snow. Five inches.
January 7, 2008. Rain, but cold enough it did not melt much of the snow.
January 8, 2008
Heard Buddy’s first growl. He was having a nightmare.
You know, sometimes I have nothing to say because there is nothing to say. Then there are times when things to say are there, but I am not. And then there are times when there is too much to say. I am in one of the above times.
January 25, 2008
Brat has gone on to a greener pasture. Nearly exactly a year ago his brother Dini (as in Houdini) died. It was a rainy, snowy day. I buried him in the lower pasture. Although the weather was miserable I had heard that the surviving goat would not do well, and so I dug another hole for Brat. I marked it with a white stake. Today I filled the hole in. John the contractor knew we wanted to keep Brat or find a home for him. He talked with his crew. His carpenter had a grandfather who had 80 acres, fruit trees and blackberry vines, and other goats. The carpenter’s name was Chris. He came today and picked up Brat. In the pickup, with a bucket of grain to eat from, Brat put up no fight at all. Sharon sent a letter to the grandfather, requesting visitation rights. Chris assured Sharon there would be no problem at all.
January 26, 2008
Tree cutting started in earnest this morning.
Jennifer and America visited this afternoon. The roads were clear from the highway to the house. Amelia, touring the lower pasture with Grammy, looked at the stumps and downed trees and said, “The trees are sad.”
January 31, 2008 -- Shazam! The last day of January. Time fleets. Shazam!
The upper pasture was filled with all kinds of markers, little red flags. Next slide. They drilled a well. One day. Fifty gallons a minute. Next slide. We boxed Brat into a smaller pasture. I salvaged metal gates. Cut off the electric feed to the barn. They took out the barn. But the shed was attached. It came out too. Time for Brat to go. He retired to 60 acres of apple trees and black berry bushes. I filled in Brat’s pre-dug burial hole. Next slide. We have a couple of piles of debris and a couple of deep holes for drain field purposes. Next slide. We mark trees. The cutter comes. A logging show. Next slide. A stack of logs. Next slides. Loading dump trucks to haul away piles of debris.
It rained and filled the wheel barrow. Then it froze. Then I needed to use the barrow to haul hay from the barn that was going to be demolished. I dumped the ice on the ground. That was two or so weeks ago. The ice is still there. All kinds of weather. This week we are receiving a new storm each day.
For weather change fans, in January California, Oregon and Washington each received gusts of wind above 100 miles per hour. In northern California, one gust reached 167 miles per hour.
Buddy does not know how to retrieve.
I have never thought about it before, but for Buddy I learned it was a good thing that that family took him to the Pound. Some persons should not have pets.
We are going to have Neighbors to the North. They will own the family sequoias. Should I plant two more, a Gay Sequoia and a Howard Sequoia?
January 12, 2008
A colonoscopy yesterday. They just knock you out and wake you up and send you home. Awaiting testing on polyps. Get a call in a couple of weeks.
While purging, learned again of my addiction to coffee. While signing in at the hospital found myself entranced by the clerk’s coffee cup. Newly learned that I have picked up habit of (more) snacking. While purging found myself initiating thoughts and behaviors directed getting this snack or that snack.
Ham and eggs tonight! Life doesn’t get much better.
Have a good week!
Marc
Sunday, December 16, 2007
Landed in Oregon XXIV
Good morning!
December 13, 2007
Snot nose. It is really hard to look around earnestly when one has a head cold. So far, going better than expected. Starting to get into the cabin fever stage -- impatiently awaiting clear nostrils.
Every morning I cut a little grass for Annie. This morning I found some fine dandelions. Then I noticed the greenery of a few carrots. I pulled a few. I kept one for Sharon and myself. Mighty sweet.
Reflecting on winter. Think like mid November to mid February. In the writings of the English nobility, this is the Grease Season. Definitely a meat season. Venison and beef and sheep and nice fat geese. All coupled with parties. Not much mention of running around outside. The hunting season was earlier.
But over in Russia the peasants spoke of going to bed and staying there. A way to keep warm, reduce the need for fuel and for food. Three months in bed.
A recent book mentions the poor in France who lived in caves. Much the same as the Russians above. Reports mention up to a dozen persons in one bed.
What do you do when it gets cold, snowy, and the prospects of food-on-foot sparse? Time to go to the hoard. Probably not much variety. Did story telling begin in a bed? At this time the English nobility (think Queen Elizabeth the First) bathed maybe once a month. The Russians and French less. I wonder how far away one could smell human habitations. These English were the same that said the Irish were savages.
I do notice days getting shorter. I do not welcome the arrival of winter. I have never understood people who like to ski. I tried ice skating but my feet got cold. The bonfire was nice. Maybe it is because my family burned wood and I was the wood cutter?
Nowadays one can watch TV. Not much variety. Two months to go!
December 16, 2007
Temperature starts at 31. When we went to bed it was 29.
This is my first day without some kind of medication. My nostrils are clear!
Saw a coyote in the upper pasture this morning. Walked up the road to get a closer look. It was gone.
It cleared early afternoon. The boys wanted to go outside. They go to the door, look out and then look at me. They don’t meow. They are waiting for me to catch their idea. Cappy spent about half an hour up a madrone. Manny raced down to the gazebo. Then both crossed the creek. Manny up a tree. Cappy across the creek on a fallen tree. Cappy under the coast redwood. Manny under the redwood. Cappy races out and collides forcefully with my leg. Up a tree. Further up the tree. Out on a limb. I cannot look and come in. Half an hour later Cappy comes in. Manny hunts mice on Strawberry Hill. He comes in half an hour later.
The rain started late afternoon. Snow warning for above 2500 feet starting at midnight. This is our first winter storm. Generally by Thanksgiving the Ashland Ski Resort has skiable snow. Not so this year. They are asking for donations.
Forecast is for wet snow on the 24th and 25th. I am gathering dry wood for the Yuletide bonfire.
Have a good week.
Poppy
December 13, 2007
Snot nose. It is really hard to look around earnestly when one has a head cold. So far, going better than expected. Starting to get into the cabin fever stage -- impatiently awaiting clear nostrils.
Every morning I cut a little grass for Annie. This morning I found some fine dandelions. Then I noticed the greenery of a few carrots. I pulled a few. I kept one for Sharon and myself. Mighty sweet.
Reflecting on winter. Think like mid November to mid February. In the writings of the English nobility, this is the Grease Season. Definitely a meat season. Venison and beef and sheep and nice fat geese. All coupled with parties. Not much mention of running around outside. The hunting season was earlier.
But over in Russia the peasants spoke of going to bed and staying there. A way to keep warm, reduce the need for fuel and for food. Three months in bed.
A recent book mentions the poor in France who lived in caves. Much the same as the Russians above. Reports mention up to a dozen persons in one bed.
What do you do when it gets cold, snowy, and the prospects of food-on-foot sparse? Time to go to the hoard. Probably not much variety. Did story telling begin in a bed? At this time the English nobility (think Queen Elizabeth the First) bathed maybe once a month. The Russians and French less. I wonder how far away one could smell human habitations. These English were the same that said the Irish were savages.
I do notice days getting shorter. I do not welcome the arrival of winter. I have never understood people who like to ski. I tried ice skating but my feet got cold. The bonfire was nice. Maybe it is because my family burned wood and I was the wood cutter?
Nowadays one can watch TV. Not much variety. Two months to go!
December 16, 2007
Temperature starts at 31. When we went to bed it was 29.
This is my first day without some kind of medication. My nostrils are clear!
Saw a coyote in the upper pasture this morning. Walked up the road to get a closer look. It was gone.
It cleared early afternoon. The boys wanted to go outside. They go to the door, look out and then look at me. They don’t meow. They are waiting for me to catch their idea. Cappy spent about half an hour up a madrone. Manny raced down to the gazebo. Then both crossed the creek. Manny up a tree. Cappy across the creek on a fallen tree. Cappy under the coast redwood. Manny under the redwood. Cappy races out and collides forcefully with my leg. Up a tree. Further up the tree. Out on a limb. I cannot look and come in. Half an hour later Cappy comes in. Manny hunts mice on Strawberry Hill. He comes in half an hour later.
The rain started late afternoon. Snow warning for above 2500 feet starting at midnight. This is our first winter storm. Generally by Thanksgiving the Ashland Ski Resort has skiable snow. Not so this year. They are asking for donations.
Forecast is for wet snow on the 24th and 25th. I am gathering dry wood for the Yuletide bonfire.
Have a good week.
Poppy
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Landed in Oregon XXIII
Good Morning!
December 3, 2007
How do you spell relief? Annie eagerly took her bread this morning.
Temp. 47 degrees. Rain. Heavy at times. At Cape Blanco, on the coast and a couple of hundred miles from here, the wind hit 113 today. Here, we had some mild wind. Not enough rain to flush the creek of its leaves.
Turkeys in the rain.
I noticed a couple of leaves on the magnolia tree. Also, on the apple there are some lower, newer branches, that still have solid green leaves.
On the supposition that Annie loss of appetite had to do with the gourmet rabbit food I bought her last week, today I bought some fresh good old fashioned alfalfa rabbit pellets.
Report on the Tacoma. First change of tires: 76,000 miles. First change of battery: 7 years. Replaced one back brake light: 8 years. Replaced one broken headlight: 9 years. The camper shell Sharon bought when the Tacoma was new has been flaking off its color for two years. It rear lifting window’s hardware for holding it open and closed stopped working this year. Replaced them today. Sometime, when I still smoked and Murphy rode with me, I stepped on the brakes and Murphy slid off the seat and broke the ashtray. This would have been like when the pickup was 3-4 years old. That was when the ashtray was replaced.
December 9, 2007
If you have a question, the answer is that I have one fulltime head cold. No room right now in the head for anything else. (Except for you.)
Have a good week.
Poppy
December 3, 2007
How do you spell relief? Annie eagerly took her bread this morning.
Temp. 47 degrees. Rain. Heavy at times. At Cape Blanco, on the coast and a couple of hundred miles from here, the wind hit 113 today. Here, we had some mild wind. Not enough rain to flush the creek of its leaves.
Turkeys in the rain.
I noticed a couple of leaves on the magnolia tree. Also, on the apple there are some lower, newer branches, that still have solid green leaves.
On the supposition that Annie loss of appetite had to do with the gourmet rabbit food I bought her last week, today I bought some fresh good old fashioned alfalfa rabbit pellets.
Report on the Tacoma. First change of tires: 76,000 miles. First change of battery: 7 years. Replaced one back brake light: 8 years. Replaced one broken headlight: 9 years. The camper shell Sharon bought when the Tacoma was new has been flaking off its color for two years. It rear lifting window’s hardware for holding it open and closed stopped working this year. Replaced them today. Sometime, when I still smoked and Murphy rode with me, I stepped on the brakes and Murphy slid off the seat and broke the ashtray. This would have been like when the pickup was 3-4 years old. That was when the ashtray was replaced.
December 9, 2007
If you have a question, the answer is that I have one fulltime head cold. No room right now in the head for anything else. (Except for you.)
Have a good week.
Poppy
Monday, December 3, 2007
Landed in OregonXXII
Good Morning!
November 26, 2007
Little warmer this morning: 32. No riotous robins. Gave Annie some bread and Brat some grain. Later in the morning I cut madrone for Brat. Annie I gave different seeds and nuts. I think she is becoming partial to blanched raw peanuts.
Cleaned Cap’s and Manners’ litter boxes. Read about operating a chipper. Fixed the pulley on the weight bench. Leveled the washer. More active outside. It was not all that warmer. Maybe I am becoming accustomed to colder mornings?
First thing, Sharon to Eagle Point. Met a locksmith who worked on the door of Daughter Number One. Met an appraiser. Asked me to do research on rottweilers. Amelia’s dad bought a puppy.
This evening it started to rain.
November 28, 2007
Across the valley today to Ashland. Huge banks of fog at the base of the western hills. Ashland was crowded. Market of Choice was delightful. Basque cheese.
A lost story: A squirrel destroyed the finch feeder some months ago. The finch have moved on. I miss them.
Another: The coast redwood behind the gazebo continues to race skyward. When initially planted, before the gazebo, there were two. It was an exposed area -- hot and dry. One died. This one turned bushy, creating its own shade. Once its roots reached water, it was off and running. It is starting to overgrow the gazebo, but has not yet started to push the gazebo over. Off course, once the gazebo was built, for a few years the gazebo’s shadow sheltered the redwood.
Another: Remember last summer and we cut Cappy’s fur and now mornings are cold? It grew back nicely. And, like last year, when it starts getting colder Cappy starts eating. I think he is about 5 pounds heavier.
November 29, 2007
There are two groups of snowy egrets. One group, about a dozen birds, is partial to the fields near Heather’s Corner. The other group, about two dozen birds, works the field across from Fort Vanoy school.
December 1, 2007
Today was Abber-Jabber’s birthday party. She will be three on the 11th. Don’t ask. This is the third party. All of the kids are getting older. The party went smoothly. I think the parents are also getting more experienced at these things. It will soon be time for games and prizes. Her father gave her a battery powered jeep. Equivalent to giving me a D8 Caterpillar tractor.
December 2, 2007
Rainy Sunday morning. Warm rain. Annie is off her feed. Found a dead mouse in her water bowl. Maybe that is it? Fresh water. Tried green grass and hay. The hay seemed to interest her. Stay tuned.
Have a good week,
Poppy
November 26, 2007
Little warmer this morning: 32. No riotous robins. Gave Annie some bread and Brat some grain. Later in the morning I cut madrone for Brat. Annie I gave different seeds and nuts. I think she is becoming partial to blanched raw peanuts.
Cleaned Cap’s and Manners’ litter boxes. Read about operating a chipper. Fixed the pulley on the weight bench. Leveled the washer. More active outside. It was not all that warmer. Maybe I am becoming accustomed to colder mornings?
First thing, Sharon to Eagle Point. Met a locksmith who worked on the door of Daughter Number One. Met an appraiser. Asked me to do research on rottweilers. Amelia’s dad bought a puppy.
This evening it started to rain.
November 28, 2007
Across the valley today to Ashland. Huge banks of fog at the base of the western hills. Ashland was crowded. Market of Choice was delightful. Basque cheese.
A lost story: A squirrel destroyed the finch feeder some months ago. The finch have moved on. I miss them.
Another: The coast redwood behind the gazebo continues to race skyward. When initially planted, before the gazebo, there were two. It was an exposed area -- hot and dry. One died. This one turned bushy, creating its own shade. Once its roots reached water, it was off and running. It is starting to overgrow the gazebo, but has not yet started to push the gazebo over. Off course, once the gazebo was built, for a few years the gazebo’s shadow sheltered the redwood.
Another: Remember last summer and we cut Cappy’s fur and now mornings are cold? It grew back nicely. And, like last year, when it starts getting colder Cappy starts eating. I think he is about 5 pounds heavier.
November 29, 2007
There are two groups of snowy egrets. One group, about a dozen birds, is partial to the fields near Heather’s Corner. The other group, about two dozen birds, works the field across from Fort Vanoy school.
December 1, 2007
Today was Abber-Jabber’s birthday party. She will be three on the 11th. Don’t ask. This is the third party. All of the kids are getting older. The party went smoothly. I think the parents are also getting more experienced at these things. It will soon be time for games and prizes. Her father gave her a battery powered jeep. Equivalent to giving me a D8 Caterpillar tractor.
December 2, 2007
Rainy Sunday morning. Warm rain. Annie is off her feed. Found a dead mouse in her water bowl. Maybe that is it? Fresh water. Tried green grass and hay. The hay seemed to interest her. Stay tuned.
Have a good week,
Poppy
Monday, November 19, 2007
Landed in Oregon XX
Good Morning!
November 14, 2007
The robins came by today. They are checking out the ripening madrone berries and what worms are near to the surface. Not a deafening group as sometimes in the past. I think they are coming down from the forests. It is like a trapper rendezvous. Not a chaos of robins, merely a frolic of robins.
Been gradually expanding the road space, clearing encroaching brush.
Annie now looks forward to her sunflower seed. Each morning I feed her some and place the balance in her feeding bowl. It is always gone by next morning. Sunflower is good because of the high content of oil. I think she is putting on some weight. Too soon to call her Pudge. I wonder if she might be interested in other nuts -- raw of course?
November 15, 2007
The snowy egrets are here but in a new area. Mostly, this year, they have been handing out down by Fort Vanoy School.
November 16, 2007
Have tried shaved Brazil nuts (took me while to remember the name) along with sunflower seed. Annie thinks they are okay along with her whole wheat bread. Again, I leave a little in her hutch and it is gone by the time I arrive next day.
The rendezvousing robins are in the neighborhood but fewer I think from past years.
Very windy all day and warm -- got up to seventy-one.
November 18, 2007
Cleaning out and painting the laundry room. Half done. Hope to finish Monday. Water heater removal Monday. Linoleum layers Tuesday. Water heater return Wednesday. New washer and dryer Friday.
Have a good week.
November 14, 2007
The robins came by today. They are checking out the ripening madrone berries and what worms are near to the surface. Not a deafening group as sometimes in the past. I think they are coming down from the forests. It is like a trapper rendezvous. Not a chaos of robins, merely a frolic of robins.
Been gradually expanding the road space, clearing encroaching brush.
Annie now looks forward to her sunflower seed. Each morning I feed her some and place the balance in her feeding bowl. It is always gone by next morning. Sunflower is good because of the high content of oil. I think she is putting on some weight. Too soon to call her Pudge. I wonder if she might be interested in other nuts -- raw of course?
November 15, 2007
The snowy egrets are here but in a new area. Mostly, this year, they have been handing out down by Fort Vanoy School.
November 16, 2007
Have tried shaved Brazil nuts (took me while to remember the name) along with sunflower seed. Annie thinks they are okay along with her whole wheat bread. Again, I leave a little in her hutch and it is gone by the time I arrive next day.
The rendezvousing robins are in the neighborhood but fewer I think from past years.
Very windy all day and warm -- got up to seventy-one.
November 18, 2007
Cleaning out and painting the laundry room. Half done. Hope to finish Monday. Water heater removal Monday. Linoleum layers Tuesday. Water heater return Wednesday. New washer and dryer Friday.
Have a good week.
Monday, November 12, 2007
Landed in OregonXIX
Good Morning!
November 5, 2007
Woke up this morning smelling skunk. Strong. No windows open. How? Later in the morning checked outside. By the apple tree and around the Sun Room, the scent -- as it were, stink -- was strong.
Discovered Annie likes sunflower seeds. Eats them out of the palm of one’s hand. Her whiskers tickle.
November 6, 2007
Thirty-eight degrees and foggy. Over in Klamath Falls this past weekend they had fog and three dozen vehicles piled up. Klamath Falls is on average nearly ten degrees cooler than here. It is three thousand feet higher.
November 8, 2007
Cappy is a jealous cat
Looks cross eyed
when his brother
Sits in Sharon’s lap
November 10, 2007
It is a Halloween time of year. The leaves, some losing all color, are falling. Light winds blow them into corners. Turkeys come and scratching must see what lies under them. Mushrooms sprout, tipsy, tippy little umbrellas for tiny folk. The wire sculpture in the middle of the garden, its shiny metal tape was once covered by climbing beans, now is held down by dead, black tendrils -- oddly misshapen and a bit spooky at night. Green tomatoes lie on the ground. Things look dead and dying. One starts to feel the rain coming hours and sometimes a day before it arrives. Sole gun metal clouds have become one overriding cloud that at night comes to rest upon the ground. We wake in the morning in the middle of a cloud. Lazy cloud. Maybe back up in the sky by noon. Like California poppies: they sleep in. But the California poppies are not dying at all. They are thriving. Yellows and golds. Like they haven’t heard: Summer ended awhile ago. Poppies’ reply, Who cares!.
November 11, 2007
I fell another long spindly oak, leaning out over the road. Gradually clearing the road for -- the future fire truck or UPS drivers or Bonnie & Jim or our new neighbors to the north.
Have a good week!
November 5, 2007
Woke up this morning smelling skunk. Strong. No windows open. How? Later in the morning checked outside. By the apple tree and around the Sun Room, the scent -- as it were, stink -- was strong.
Discovered Annie likes sunflower seeds. Eats them out of the palm of one’s hand. Her whiskers tickle.
November 6, 2007
Thirty-eight degrees and foggy. Over in Klamath Falls this past weekend they had fog and three dozen vehicles piled up. Klamath Falls is on average nearly ten degrees cooler than here. It is three thousand feet higher.
November 8, 2007
Cappy is a jealous cat
Looks cross eyed
when his brother
Sits in Sharon’s lap
November 10, 2007
It is a Halloween time of year. The leaves, some losing all color, are falling. Light winds blow them into corners. Turkeys come and scratching must see what lies under them. Mushrooms sprout, tipsy, tippy little umbrellas for tiny folk. The wire sculpture in the middle of the garden, its shiny metal tape was once covered by climbing beans, now is held down by dead, black tendrils -- oddly misshapen and a bit spooky at night. Green tomatoes lie on the ground. Things look dead and dying. One starts to feel the rain coming hours and sometimes a day before it arrives. Sole gun metal clouds have become one overriding cloud that at night comes to rest upon the ground. We wake in the morning in the middle of a cloud. Lazy cloud. Maybe back up in the sky by noon. Like California poppies: they sleep in. But the California poppies are not dying at all. They are thriving. Yellows and golds. Like they haven’t heard: Summer ended awhile ago. Poppies’ reply, Who cares!.
November 11, 2007
I fell another long spindly oak, leaning out over the road. Gradually clearing the road for -- the future fire truck or UPS drivers or Bonnie & Jim or our new neighbors to the north.
Have a good week!
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Landed in Oregon XVIII
October 30, 2007
Can’t get over it. There is a place between the yard and the lower pasture, an opening in the fence where I drive the mower through, about six feet, where Manny hunts mice. I have actually seen a mouse on two occasions, hustle across this opening. It is the same place Marty, Mr. Toot, sat and hunted nearly ten years ago. And there are two other spots, at the edge of the grass, where both Toot hunted and Mr. Manners now hunts. The two never met each other. There were a couple of years between the two. These have to be mice runways and habitat that have been consistent for over ten years. Yes both cats did and have caught mice in these spots but the mice are still there -- as over the past ten years the cats have been there.
Is it possible that there might be spots on earth where mice have lived in successive generations longer than humans? How about Machu Pichu? Mice before the Incas? Mice now?
November 1, 2007
This week we had thunder boomers one night. A little rain. Two mornings at 50 degrees.
This week Jack visited. He is a Russell Terrier. About seven years old. A little gray. Absoulutely sedate at far as RT’s go, bouncing only about 90% of the time. He met Brat. Brat met him. They touched noses. Brat said, What kind of goat are you? and he lowered his head and butted the metal gate between them. Whereupon Jack snarled, You barbarian! Come over here and I will kill you kill you several times. It was a stand-off for Brat and a bounce-up for Jack.
Annie was spying Jack from afar. When he saw her he shivered all over. I think she was impressed with the way he could jump. Later they touched noses. Over night she dug so much in her burrow it was almost impossible to get in her cage. Do you suppose she was making room for him down there?
We had a small dinner with friends Halloween night. And laughed and laughed until we shrieked and snorted. Towels for tears. A sure test of the flexibility of ribs. Sharon laughed until she put her back out. Go figure.
Mostly sunny today. A beautiful day. Leaves now cover the creek banks down to the flowing water, a cacophony of fall colors! Slippery with leaves.
I spent some time this afternoon cutting blackberry vines away from the large Sequoia. Tree said, Thank you.
Saw a large nuthatch, coming in for the sunflower seed.
November 2, 2007
Saw Spike. His coat is getting darker. Like light-adjusting glasses, winter gets closer and his coat gets darker, catching the solar heat of the sun. How very clever. I suppose it is patented.
We have three outside faucets: two attached to the house and one standing alone. Disconnected their hoses for winter. Used a tomato cage around the single alone faucet and then buried it in straw. Does one need to use the cage? Yes, because the turkeys will come and scratch to see what is under the straw and will uncover the faucet. Now they are simply frustrated -- which is a good thing for turkeys.
Used straw to berm the pump house for winter. Then used on top some leaves and needles -- mulch.
November 3, 2007
Foggy misty morning. The mugho pine outside the study window is about seven feet tall. It has a couple of dozen small spider condos. They were all painted by the mist this morning.
To the dump outside Merlin, Oregon. The transfer station was not too busy. During World War II with gasoline rationing we used the pickup each weekend for hauling garbage. I remember one or more flat tires while doing this. The tires were thin, the road was rocky, and debris sometimes spilled onto the road. The other times we used the pickup was when my dad went hunting or fishing. This time of year, it was important to get the “cellar” filled in preparation for winter. For storing meat we used the freezer down at Charley's Meat Market. In September or so my dad would visit the fruit growing areas of Idaho and bring back apples and peaches and onions and potatoes, lots of bushel baskets. My folks would have canning sessions. It was always a race to Spring and whether the onions or potatoes or apples would turn to mush before we could eat them. I learned to drive on the garbage hauling trips. When I was 13-14 he started allowing me to haul the garbage by myself.
November 4, 2007
Got up. Dark. No sun. Really socked in this morning.
When I went into the Sun Room to let the boys out, they were back to back about a foot apart. Neither left their spot and neither turned around when I walked past. Nor did they leave their respective spots until some time later. A cat spat.
The boys play, as brothers. And sometimes the play gets a little too harsh and then the fur flies. Sometimes Cappy ends up running and sometimes Manny. It might take them a couple of days to recover from a tiff.
Can’t get over it. There is a place between the yard and the lower pasture, an opening in the fence where I drive the mower through, about six feet, where Manny hunts mice. I have actually seen a mouse on two occasions, hustle across this opening. It is the same place Marty, Mr. Toot, sat and hunted nearly ten years ago. And there are two other spots, at the edge of the grass, where both Toot hunted and Mr. Manners now hunts. The two never met each other. There were a couple of years between the two. These have to be mice runways and habitat that have been consistent for over ten years. Yes both cats did and have caught mice in these spots but the mice are still there -- as over the past ten years the cats have been there.
Is it possible that there might be spots on earth where mice have lived in successive generations longer than humans? How about Machu Pichu? Mice before the Incas? Mice now?
November 1, 2007
This week we had thunder boomers one night. A little rain. Two mornings at 50 degrees.
This week Jack visited. He is a Russell Terrier. About seven years old. A little gray. Absoulutely sedate at far as RT’s go, bouncing only about 90% of the time. He met Brat. Brat met him. They touched noses. Brat said, What kind of goat are you? and he lowered his head and butted the metal gate between them. Whereupon Jack snarled, You barbarian! Come over here and I will kill you kill you several times. It was a stand-off for Brat and a bounce-up for Jack.
Annie was spying Jack from afar. When he saw her he shivered all over. I think she was impressed with the way he could jump. Later they touched noses. Over night she dug so much in her burrow it was almost impossible to get in her cage. Do you suppose she was making room for him down there?
We had a small dinner with friends Halloween night. And laughed and laughed until we shrieked and snorted. Towels for tears. A sure test of the flexibility of ribs. Sharon laughed until she put her back out. Go figure.
Mostly sunny today. A beautiful day. Leaves now cover the creek banks down to the flowing water, a cacophony of fall colors! Slippery with leaves.
I spent some time this afternoon cutting blackberry vines away from the large Sequoia. Tree said, Thank you.
Saw a large nuthatch, coming in for the sunflower seed.
November 2, 2007
Saw Spike. His coat is getting darker. Like light-adjusting glasses, winter gets closer and his coat gets darker, catching the solar heat of the sun. How very clever. I suppose it is patented.
We have three outside faucets: two attached to the house and one standing alone. Disconnected their hoses for winter. Used a tomato cage around the single alone faucet and then buried it in straw. Does one need to use the cage? Yes, because the turkeys will come and scratch to see what is under the straw and will uncover the faucet. Now they are simply frustrated -- which is a good thing for turkeys.
Used straw to berm the pump house for winter. Then used on top some leaves and needles -- mulch.
November 3, 2007
Foggy misty morning. The mugho pine outside the study window is about seven feet tall. It has a couple of dozen small spider condos. They were all painted by the mist this morning.
To the dump outside Merlin, Oregon. The transfer station was not too busy. During World War II with gasoline rationing we used the pickup each weekend for hauling garbage. I remember one or more flat tires while doing this. The tires were thin, the road was rocky, and debris sometimes spilled onto the road. The other times we used the pickup was when my dad went hunting or fishing. This time of year, it was important to get the “cellar” filled in preparation for winter. For storing meat we used the freezer down at Charley's Meat Market. In September or so my dad would visit the fruit growing areas of Idaho and bring back apples and peaches and onions and potatoes, lots of bushel baskets. My folks would have canning sessions. It was always a race to Spring and whether the onions or potatoes or apples would turn to mush before we could eat them. I learned to drive on the garbage hauling trips. When I was 13-14 he started allowing me to haul the garbage by myself.
November 4, 2007
Got up. Dark. No sun. Really socked in this morning.
When I went into the Sun Room to let the boys out, they were back to back about a foot apart. Neither left their spot and neither turned around when I walked past. Nor did they leave their respective spots until some time later. A cat spat.
The boys play, as brothers. And sometimes the play gets a little too harsh and then the fur flies. Sometimes Cappy ends up running and sometimes Manny. It might take them a couple of days to recover from a tiff.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Landed in Oregon XVII
October 27, 2007
Another lost week. Today is the second day of frosty mornings. Friday was 30 degrees and today was 28. Fall is ending. Winter is coming.
The cats are not ready. They sleep in the Sun Room. Each morning, I open the doors to the outside. Manny sometimes jumps down and beats me to the yet to be opened door. This morning he was beside his brother. He didn’t budge. His nose was buried in Cappy’s fur. Waiting for the sun.
With frost, more leaves are falling. Some trees are denuded. I checked the pool -- probably should call it the Leaf Pool. It is downstream. About 30-40 feet long. I have planted redwoods on one side and a sequoia on the other. In one place there is a sword fern with fronds about six feet long. Each Fall leaves pile up, clogging, building back over the pond, becoming waterlogged, and settling to the bottom. Beneath the clear water, the pond’s bottom takes on the colors of Fall. This year, the dam is in place, and the back up is building, but very few leaves yet on the bottom.
The English called winter the Grease Season. In the winter I add 10-20 pounds. I start craving pork. When younger I craved venison and the fat of beef. It has yet to start this year, but the bacon is in the freezer ready.
Housework. Doing little winter-get-ready things.
October 28, 2007
Beautiful autumn day. High thirties to low sixties.
This afternoon I watched Brat, the goat, watch Cappy, the cat, sneak up on his brother, Mr. Manners, who knew his brother was sneaking up on him about half an hour before he got there.
Casper caught a mouse this afternoon, but did not know what to do with it. He played with it. Finally, during a period when Cappy zoned out, the mouse escaped. Not bad for a deaf cat!
Another lost week. Today is the second day of frosty mornings. Friday was 30 degrees and today was 28. Fall is ending. Winter is coming.
The cats are not ready. They sleep in the Sun Room. Each morning, I open the doors to the outside. Manny sometimes jumps down and beats me to the yet to be opened door. This morning he was beside his brother. He didn’t budge. His nose was buried in Cappy’s fur. Waiting for the sun.
With frost, more leaves are falling. Some trees are denuded. I checked the pool -- probably should call it the Leaf Pool. It is downstream. About 30-40 feet long. I have planted redwoods on one side and a sequoia on the other. In one place there is a sword fern with fronds about six feet long. Each Fall leaves pile up, clogging, building back over the pond, becoming waterlogged, and settling to the bottom. Beneath the clear water, the pond’s bottom takes on the colors of Fall. This year, the dam is in place, and the back up is building, but very few leaves yet on the bottom.
The English called winter the Grease Season. In the winter I add 10-20 pounds. I start craving pork. When younger I craved venison and the fat of beef. It has yet to start this year, but the bacon is in the freezer ready.
Housework. Doing little winter-get-ready things.
October 28, 2007
Beautiful autumn day. High thirties to low sixties.
This afternoon I watched Brat, the goat, watch Cappy, the cat, sneak up on his brother, Mr. Manners, who knew his brother was sneaking up on him about half an hour before he got there.
Casper caught a mouse this afternoon, but did not know what to do with it. He played with it. Finally, during a period when Cappy zoned out, the mouse escaped. Not bad for a deaf cat!
Monday, October 15, 2007
Landed in Oregon XV
October 9, 2007
Once or twice a year I cut blackberry vines across the creek. I do not like vines with thorns. I do not like rose bushes. It falls in the same category as I do not like rattlesnakes. The plants can send out vines that cross the old road. I want to keep at least a path on that road. There are a couple of stories here. One is watching the road fill in. The other is maintaining a path.
Mr. Manners went with me. He was very vocal: soft: whispered, frequent mew-mew sounds. He stayed behind me except on those occasions when he took shortcuts. It was like he was looking out for me, was telling me about this place, was being a tour guide. There were few blackberry vines to cut.
On the path there are places where trees have fallen and are still alive. One can duck under them or step over them. There are places where snags have fallen. Step over. One of these times I will work with them: move, cut and so on. In a few places there is encroachment by poison oak. I cut and spray. There are more and more volunteer trees in the old roadway. The road was packed too hard; for a few years after the road closed there were no new trees. Enough leaves have now fallen, the road has softened enough, that all kinds of vegetation is making inroads.
The difference between Mr. Manners and his brother. Manny stayed behind me. Mr. Casper runs ahead, then stops and seems to listen. He is deaf. Then he runs on.
October 11, 2007
Ticks are back. A little rain and Sharon picked several ticks from Mr. Manners.
October 13, 2007
Across the creek again. This time to plant iris bulbs per Sharon. In places the ground is still hard. Rose campion blooming. Red, red iridescent beneath the riparian canopy!! Did I mention rose campion in the plant blooming survey?
The grass is greening up. Should be great by Thanksgiving.
October 14, 2007
Annually, generally after the first rains of Fall, I rake the fallen leaves on each side of the road and wheel barrow it to the mulch pile near the English walnut tree. Today I did the road in from the mail box -- from the gate to the culvert, about 200 feet. I did some raking on the road up to Bonnie and Jim’s.
Annie is really digging. It is like she is planning to double her underground domain or escape -- whichever. The dirt is piling up in her cage. It was getting difficult to open the door. There is a pile of fresh dirt outside her pen. We are using it in different places. Yesterday I was filling pots for Sharon. Annie stopped her digging and watched. She watched me shovel. Clearly she has an appreciation for dirt moving techniques and tools.
Starting to see more reds. However, the ginkgo is yellow. The walnut tree has a band of yellow at the bottom. Is green at top. We are picking up about a dozen walnuts each day.
Once or twice a year I cut blackberry vines across the creek. I do not like vines with thorns. I do not like rose bushes. It falls in the same category as I do not like rattlesnakes. The plants can send out vines that cross the old road. I want to keep at least a path on that road. There are a couple of stories here. One is watching the road fill in. The other is maintaining a path.
Mr. Manners went with me. He was very vocal: soft: whispered, frequent mew-mew sounds. He stayed behind me except on those occasions when he took shortcuts. It was like he was looking out for me, was telling me about this place, was being a tour guide. There were few blackberry vines to cut.
On the path there are places where trees have fallen and are still alive. One can duck under them or step over them. There are places where snags have fallen. Step over. One of these times I will work with them: move, cut and so on. In a few places there is encroachment by poison oak. I cut and spray. There are more and more volunteer trees in the old roadway. The road was packed too hard; for a few years after the road closed there were no new trees. Enough leaves have now fallen, the road has softened enough, that all kinds of vegetation is making inroads.
The difference between Mr. Manners and his brother. Manny stayed behind me. Mr. Casper runs ahead, then stops and seems to listen. He is deaf. Then he runs on.
October 11, 2007
Ticks are back. A little rain and Sharon picked several ticks from Mr. Manners.
October 13, 2007
Across the creek again. This time to plant iris bulbs per Sharon. In places the ground is still hard. Rose campion blooming. Red, red iridescent beneath the riparian canopy!! Did I mention rose campion in the plant blooming survey?
The grass is greening up. Should be great by Thanksgiving.
October 14, 2007
Annually, generally after the first rains of Fall, I rake the fallen leaves on each side of the road and wheel barrow it to the mulch pile near the English walnut tree. Today I did the road in from the mail box -- from the gate to the culvert, about 200 feet. I did some raking on the road up to Bonnie and Jim’s.
Annie is really digging. It is like she is planning to double her underground domain or escape -- whichever. The dirt is piling up in her cage. It was getting difficult to open the door. There is a pile of fresh dirt outside her pen. We are using it in different places. Yesterday I was filling pots for Sharon. Annie stopped her digging and watched. She watched me shovel. Clearly she has an appreciation for dirt moving techniques and tools.
Starting to see more reds. However, the ginkgo is yellow. The walnut tree has a band of yellow at the bottom. Is green at top. We are picking up about a dozen walnuts each day.
Monday, October 8, 2007
Landed in Oregon XIII
September 24, 2007
I forgot the butterfly bush and lavender.
A.J., who visited Saturday, is learning that some trees have apples and some do not.
September 25, 2007
Saw Mother Doe and Spike under the apple tree. Spike is now as tall as his mother but much skinnier.
Tomatoes from the garden! Brandywines! Big! Delicious!
September 26, 2007
Every Fall, I buy a bale of hay and a bale of straw. The hay is for the goat or goats on cold winter nights. The straw is for berming the pump house and the outside water faucet. At the end of winter I will then use the straw for mulch. Sharon gave Annie some of the hay. She thought it was great, building a little burrow.
September 27, 2007
I’m in the Jail House Now. Went to Ashland this morning for a meeting. Was gone all day. Somehow, Cappy knew I was going. He watched me get ready, following me from room to room. Generally I can wait and he will become distracted. Not today. When I left he stood at the door and ... Cappy does not meow ... screamed. When I returned he saw me before I even entered the house. I stopped to lean down to pet him. He walked on by as if I wasn’t there. Several hours later, I was sitting in the living room when Cappy came in from outside. He saw me. It was like old times. He jumped up on the chair and kneaded my belly to be petted. I started to pet him and then ... he stopped, like he just remembered he was mad at me ... and jumped down and walked away. Give it time.
Sharon was down walking along the creek this afternoon. There is a place where there is a granite shelf, beneath a canopy of trees, and the creek tumbles by. Then she suddenly saw Manny and Manny saw her and he raced past, into the brush, up a tree. That’s how he says hello to people he knows. It is a little scary.
Brat is getting his summer-fall habit. Once he decides we are up he starts bellowing. Or, if you prefer, baaa-ing. He wants apples. We’ve got apples. He gets apples. Tomorrow it will be the same thing. If strangers are in the neighborhood, he is just as vocal but more frequent and maybe louder.
September 28, 2007
Cappy hasn’t quite forgiven me.
September 29, 2007
Daughter, The Younger, will be home for Thanksgiving! It rained yesterday and is supposed to rain tomorrow. I surveyed the estate today. Following summer, it looked somewhat unruly. I notified Landscaping. Today I mowed the grass. Looks kinda like a mowed hayfield in the Fall.
One bunch of turkeys came through this morning. I counted 24.
September 30, 2007
It rained today. The snowy white egrets are back! We know there are huge populations of them in northern California where they are used to control bugs, etc. We know there are a few on the Rogue River. Where do these come from? California? Or, with the Fall rains, do they leave the river and come into the fields? The fields have been irrigated all along. The egrets could have come a month or two ago. Why now?
On the way to town, turkey buzzards were working the carcass of a freshly killed skunk. The smell was powerful. We have heard that some owls are partial to young skunks. So that puts two on the list of critters not offended by skunk.
On the way to town we saw a jay in the empty osprey nest. Chest all puffed out. Like a six year old behind the wheel of mom’s car.
A.J., with her dad, has been visiting relatives in Seattle. Not yet three and she has more air travel than I had by the time I was twenty-one! We picked them up, let her dad off at his car, and brought A.J. here for her mom to pick up later. Tonight, there they were! All in Red Hat Club red hats, marching through the house, blowing on a flute, beating on the drum. The leader with the baton was A.J. She did a good job leading.
I forgot the butterfly bush and lavender.
A.J., who visited Saturday, is learning that some trees have apples and some do not.
September 25, 2007
Saw Mother Doe and Spike under the apple tree. Spike is now as tall as his mother but much skinnier.
Tomatoes from the garden! Brandywines! Big! Delicious!
September 26, 2007
Every Fall, I buy a bale of hay and a bale of straw. The hay is for the goat or goats on cold winter nights. The straw is for berming the pump house and the outside water faucet. At the end of winter I will then use the straw for mulch. Sharon gave Annie some of the hay. She thought it was great, building a little burrow.
September 27, 2007
I’m in the Jail House Now. Went to Ashland this morning for a meeting. Was gone all day. Somehow, Cappy knew I was going. He watched me get ready, following me from room to room. Generally I can wait and he will become distracted. Not today. When I left he stood at the door and ... Cappy does not meow ... screamed. When I returned he saw me before I even entered the house. I stopped to lean down to pet him. He walked on by as if I wasn’t there. Several hours later, I was sitting in the living room when Cappy came in from outside. He saw me. It was like old times. He jumped up on the chair and kneaded my belly to be petted. I started to pet him and then ... he stopped, like he just remembered he was mad at me ... and jumped down and walked away. Give it time.
Sharon was down walking along the creek this afternoon. There is a place where there is a granite shelf, beneath a canopy of trees, and the creek tumbles by. Then she suddenly saw Manny and Manny saw her and he raced past, into the brush, up a tree. That’s how he says hello to people he knows. It is a little scary.
Brat is getting his summer-fall habit. Once he decides we are up he starts bellowing. Or, if you prefer, baaa-ing. He wants apples. We’ve got apples. He gets apples. Tomorrow it will be the same thing. If strangers are in the neighborhood, he is just as vocal but more frequent and maybe louder.
September 28, 2007
Cappy hasn’t quite forgiven me.
September 29, 2007
Daughter, The Younger, will be home for Thanksgiving! It rained yesterday and is supposed to rain tomorrow. I surveyed the estate today. Following summer, it looked somewhat unruly. I notified Landscaping. Today I mowed the grass. Looks kinda like a mowed hayfield in the Fall.
One bunch of turkeys came through this morning. I counted 24.
September 30, 2007
It rained today. The snowy white egrets are back! We know there are huge populations of them in northern California where they are used to control bugs, etc. We know there are a few on the Rogue River. Where do these come from? California? Or, with the Fall rains, do they leave the river and come into the fields? The fields have been irrigated all along. The egrets could have come a month or two ago. Why now?
On the way to town, turkey buzzards were working the carcass of a freshly killed skunk. The smell was powerful. We have heard that some owls are partial to young skunks. So that puts two on the list of critters not offended by skunk.
On the way to town we saw a jay in the empty osprey nest. Chest all puffed out. Like a six year old behind the wheel of mom’s car.
A.J., with her dad, has been visiting relatives in Seattle. Not yet three and she has more air travel than I had by the time I was twenty-one! We picked them up, let her dad off at his car, and brought A.J. here for her mom to pick up later. Tonight, there they were! All in Red Hat Club red hats, marching through the house, blowing on a flute, beating on the drum. The leader with the baton was A.J. She did a good job leading.
Landed in Oregon XIV
October 2, 2007
Did I include hibiscus and autumn sedum in the inventory?
October 3, 2007
We have had some rain and the surface of the ground is dark with moisture. Cappy went out this morning and was diligently hunting for dust. There was none. Finally he discovered the garage floor.
October 4, 2007
Sharon went to a Dogs for Deaf meeting yesterday. She was really impressed with the local program. Cappy uses his brother to offset his own hearing loss. Cappy is an elder brother and is thereby entitled by birth order to be a leader. He believes that. Manners, who sometimes complies, thinks his disadvantaged brother is a boor. Ah-ha! Cappy needs a dog-for-the-deaf cat!
October 6, 2007
Saturday morning. Thirty-four degrees. Frost warnings on the Internet for the Rogue Valley. December and January share the lowest average temperatures: 31 degrees.
I looked for windfalls for Brat. None. One of our large apple trees has early drops. The other is inclined to have no drops at all. Last year, deer were standing on their hind legs to pick apples from its lowest branches. I picked half a dozen for Brat.
He prefers white bread. I offered him some apples. He wasn’t interested until it seemed that that was all. I held back some bread scraps for desert.
I saved a slice of whole wheat bread for Annie. First thing this morning I saw her seeing me in the kitchen window. I hold the bread for her. For critters like Brat and Annie who do not have hands it is helpful to have the food held. In nature, without hands, they bite and pull. Same with turkeys. I have seen them try to stand on a windfall apple, trying to hold it down while trying to take a bite out of it.
Next I pull the filter from our small vacuum and shake it out. Need to do it 1-2 times a week. And I notice, nearby, walnuts are starting to fall from the tree. I gather sixteen, filling my shirt pockets. Feel windfall rich.
October 7, 2007
One of the truly neat and wholesome things in Rogue Valley is Seven Oaks Farm. This time of year they open their doors, put a few of their animals on display and sell from Fall produce. One can buy all kinds of large (and small) pumpkins. There are canned goods. How about a bunch of corn stalks for $ 5.00. The kids can pet the goats. There is a slapped together maze. A hot dog stand where one can also buy roasted corn. There is a real old log cabin. Free pony rides where the kids can ride in a saddle and the pony is led by a man. One sees lots and lots of families and lots of small kids. The activities are free. The produce is not.
We went last year with Jennie Lynn and A.J.. This year A.J. rode the pony. She got a horse painted on her cheek. Bought some pumpkins.
Which reminds me. The best we could do in my garden this year was a watermelon about the size of a softball. Do I dare put it along side the pumpkins we raised? Could a person carve such a thing?
The Fall colors are really just starting. Reds and yellows. The poison oak has a delicate egg shell red color.
Did I include hibiscus and autumn sedum in the inventory?
October 3, 2007
We have had some rain and the surface of the ground is dark with moisture. Cappy went out this morning and was diligently hunting for dust. There was none. Finally he discovered the garage floor.
October 4, 2007
Sharon went to a Dogs for Deaf meeting yesterday. She was really impressed with the local program. Cappy uses his brother to offset his own hearing loss. Cappy is an elder brother and is thereby entitled by birth order to be a leader. He believes that. Manners, who sometimes complies, thinks his disadvantaged brother is a boor. Ah-ha! Cappy needs a dog-for-the-deaf cat!
October 6, 2007
Saturday morning. Thirty-four degrees. Frost warnings on the Internet for the Rogue Valley. December and January share the lowest average temperatures: 31 degrees.
I looked for windfalls for Brat. None. One of our large apple trees has early drops. The other is inclined to have no drops at all. Last year, deer were standing on their hind legs to pick apples from its lowest branches. I picked half a dozen for Brat.
He prefers white bread. I offered him some apples. He wasn’t interested until it seemed that that was all. I held back some bread scraps for desert.
I saved a slice of whole wheat bread for Annie. First thing this morning I saw her seeing me in the kitchen window. I hold the bread for her. For critters like Brat and Annie who do not have hands it is helpful to have the food held. In nature, without hands, they bite and pull. Same with turkeys. I have seen them try to stand on a windfall apple, trying to hold it down while trying to take a bite out of it.
Next I pull the filter from our small vacuum and shake it out. Need to do it 1-2 times a week. And I notice, nearby, walnuts are starting to fall from the tree. I gather sixteen, filling my shirt pockets. Feel windfall rich.
October 7, 2007
One of the truly neat and wholesome things in Rogue Valley is Seven Oaks Farm. This time of year they open their doors, put a few of their animals on display and sell from Fall produce. One can buy all kinds of large (and small) pumpkins. There are canned goods. How about a bunch of corn stalks for $ 5.00. The kids can pet the goats. There is a slapped together maze. A hot dog stand where one can also buy roasted corn. There is a real old log cabin. Free pony rides where the kids can ride in a saddle and the pony is led by a man. One sees lots and lots of families and lots of small kids. The activities are free. The produce is not.
We went last year with Jennie Lynn and A.J.. This year A.J. rode the pony. She got a horse painted on her cheek. Bought some pumpkins.
Which reminds me. The best we could do in my garden this year was a watermelon about the size of a softball. Do I dare put it along side the pumpkins we raised? Could a person carve such a thing?
The Fall colors are really just starting. Reds and yellows. The poison oak has a delicate egg shell red color.
Monday, September 24, 2007
Landed in Oregon XII
September 17, 2007
Each day Sharon and I try to gather a few windfall apples and give them to Brat. The other morning the apples were covered with dew. They were firm and cold to the touch. Occasionally I sampled a few. Taste great.
Saw the doe and fawn tonight. Mom was under the apple tree. The fawn was entranced by something. I had to leave the house to see. It was Cappy. And what deer wouldn’t be.... ? The fawn’s spots are gone now.
September 20, 2007
Two mornings at 37 degrees. Fall will soon be here.
Sharon wants to report that Annie has a boy friend -- or at least a frog friend. From time to time throughout the summer the frog has been in Annie’s water dish. Sharon removes it. Later -- a few days, a week -- the frog is back.
We have had a wasp hive in a gutter above the entry door. This morning it was gone and fragments were scattered over the porch. Based on past experience: jays. In the past though, the destruction was in the spring. Then, we said the jay was after protein. You don’t suppose the cold weather the last two mornings?
September 21, 2007
Little preoccupied this week with the death of a brother-in-law. Last summer was the first. He is the second. He is the last of my significant others.
September 23, 2007
Blooming Flower Inventory. We still have wild peas, Queen Anne’s Lace, blanket flowers (that close in the heat of the day), California poppies (that get up late and close if it gets too hot), evening prim roses (that open only at night), mullein (yellow flowers, many plants are above seven foot), tomato, egg plant, Kentucky Wonders, dipper gourds, chive, heather, dandelion (of course), chickory, strawberries, lemon balm, autumn sedum, hibiscus, purple asters, impatiens, coreopsis, sun flowers, Guara, gardenia, gaillardia, geranium, lots of pansies and chrysanthemum. I probably missed a few. I am still learning. Sharon says she just can't stand it: No flowers.
The turkeys are clustering and starting to get up on the decks and into the flower pots. We chase them off, repot and think of Thanksgiving.
Each day Sharon and I try to gather a few windfall apples and give them to Brat. The other morning the apples were covered with dew. They were firm and cold to the touch. Occasionally I sampled a few. Taste great.
Saw the doe and fawn tonight. Mom was under the apple tree. The fawn was entranced by something. I had to leave the house to see. It was Cappy. And what deer wouldn’t be.... ? The fawn’s spots are gone now.
September 20, 2007
Two mornings at 37 degrees. Fall will soon be here.
Sharon wants to report that Annie has a boy friend -- or at least a frog friend. From time to time throughout the summer the frog has been in Annie’s water dish. Sharon removes it. Later -- a few days, a week -- the frog is back.
We have had a wasp hive in a gutter above the entry door. This morning it was gone and fragments were scattered over the porch. Based on past experience: jays. In the past though, the destruction was in the spring. Then, we said the jay was after protein. You don’t suppose the cold weather the last two mornings?
September 21, 2007
Little preoccupied this week with the death of a brother-in-law. Last summer was the first. He is the second. He is the last of my significant others.
September 23, 2007
Blooming Flower Inventory. We still have wild peas, Queen Anne’s Lace, blanket flowers (that close in the heat of the day), California poppies (that get up late and close if it gets too hot), evening prim roses (that open only at night), mullein (yellow flowers, many plants are above seven foot), tomato, egg plant, Kentucky Wonders, dipper gourds, chive, heather, dandelion (of course), chickory, strawberries, lemon balm, autumn sedum, hibiscus, purple asters, impatiens, coreopsis, sun flowers, Guara, gardenia, gaillardia, geranium, lots of pansies and chrysanthemum. I probably missed a few. I am still learning. Sharon says she just can't stand it: No flowers.
The turkeys are clustering and starting to get up on the decks and into the flower pots. We chase them off, repot and think of Thanksgiving.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Landed in Oregon XI
September 10, 2007
Annie, our lop eared dwarf rabbit, does not have good close-up vision. If you throw a crumb of bread near her, she uses smell and then the touch of her whiskers to find it. She reacts to sound and rapid movement, by going on alert and maybe running. But in the morning she will come to the edge of her cage and having heard us stir will watch at our kitchen window to see us, a distance of forty feet. She will closely watch Manners and Capper, our Manx’s, at an even greater distance. She is alert and may even run to one of her burrows. Yet, when they are near -- right outside her cage or say, within five feet -- she is not alert and may come to the edge of her cage as if she wants to touch noses with them. Maybe she recognizes them. On the other hand, the cats perceive her approach as bold and they put themselves in a ready to flee stance.
Her senses kind of overlap in purpose and help to refine her perception. I guess ours do too. There was a time when I think we had better instruction on smell: This means coyote and this means buffalo and this means wolf and this means fear and this means in heat and this means contentment. Smell is kind of subjective and scientists in their disregard of subjectivity have undermined the old lessons. Humans have become more reliant on their vision. Vision is where you say, By their fruits you shall know them. There was a time when one could smell treachery. Rote instruction is: You shall know them by hearing them. Rote, or hearing, might be better than smelling them but is not as objective as seeing. But seeing, as more strongly with the others, can also be a matter of seeing not what is there but what one wants to see.
Each sense is kind of its own world, reality. A book yet to be written is, War of the Senses. The perception a human has -- as other critters -- is a irregular composite, a synergy, of their senses. Thank you, Annie, for reminding me. Cappy, too.
9/11/07
Planted two coast redwoods and a cedar below the washout. Soon Cappy and Manny showed up. Surely you have noticed that running water sometimes gives persons the urge to pee. Cats don’t have that problem. Instead: digging in sand gives cats the uncontrollable urge to dig in sand and pee or poop as it strikes them. Cats also cover up their holes. I dug a hole and filled the bottom with moss, twigs, leaves and other such debris. I placed the tree in the hole and holding it with one hand I started scraping sand into the hole. Cappy watched, understood, and came over and started covering up the hole.
I noticed yesterday that Annie is getting fat or getting fur or both.
9/12/07
The geese are jogging this week. Sometimes they are up before the sun. You can hear them. These are exercises for the kids, endurance and flight formation, and limbering up the old folks.
9/15/07
Something going on with Brat. Very vocal.
We are slipping into Indian Summer. Cooler. Sunny. Shorter days.
Bees and the hummingbird feeder. In the July heat, the bees discover the feeder. As it cools some leave and a few stay on, having discovered a good thing. The ones that stay on are fewer but more ornery. They fight other bees (of their own kind) and they even keep off hummingbirds. Well, in the Spring, tom turkeys sometimes discover a clean chrome bumper, see their reflection and fluff, display, and peck the bumper. Sometimes on our deck, the same thing occurs when they see their reflection in the sliding glass doors. Well, these bees see their reflection in the windows near the feeder and they fly forcefully into the window and again and then again. Kind of like an insect replica of a couple of billy goats -- ‘cept one goat is a reflection. They really bang into the window. I have never seen one bang hard enough to drop to the ground, but hard enough to wobble a little. A dizzy bee?
9/17/07
Manners and Cappy are shut in to the Sun Room overnight. On a table, I put a hard cat food feeder and two saucers of soft. They are secure there. They are also not running through the house knocking things over. So, last night I forgot the hard cat food. It is a feeder, when full maybe good for a week. They always nibble a bit of hard food. This morning the saucers were licked clean. And on the table was the bottom half of a half eaten mouse. You don’t suppose they were trying to tell me something?
Annie, our lop eared dwarf rabbit, does not have good close-up vision. If you throw a crumb of bread near her, she uses smell and then the touch of her whiskers to find it. She reacts to sound and rapid movement, by going on alert and maybe running. But in the morning she will come to the edge of her cage and having heard us stir will watch at our kitchen window to see us, a distance of forty feet. She will closely watch Manners and Capper, our Manx’s, at an even greater distance. She is alert and may even run to one of her burrows. Yet, when they are near -- right outside her cage or say, within five feet -- she is not alert and may come to the edge of her cage as if she wants to touch noses with them. Maybe she recognizes them. On the other hand, the cats perceive her approach as bold and they put themselves in a ready to flee stance.
Her senses kind of overlap in purpose and help to refine her perception. I guess ours do too. There was a time when I think we had better instruction on smell: This means coyote and this means buffalo and this means wolf and this means fear and this means in heat and this means contentment. Smell is kind of subjective and scientists in their disregard of subjectivity have undermined the old lessons. Humans have become more reliant on their vision. Vision is where you say, By their fruits you shall know them. There was a time when one could smell treachery. Rote instruction is: You shall know them by hearing them. Rote, or hearing, might be better than smelling them but is not as objective as seeing. But seeing, as more strongly with the others, can also be a matter of seeing not what is there but what one wants to see.
Each sense is kind of its own world, reality. A book yet to be written is, War of the Senses. The perception a human has -- as other critters -- is a irregular composite, a synergy, of their senses. Thank you, Annie, for reminding me. Cappy, too.
9/11/07
Planted two coast redwoods and a cedar below the washout. Soon Cappy and Manny showed up. Surely you have noticed that running water sometimes gives persons the urge to pee. Cats don’t have that problem. Instead: digging in sand gives cats the uncontrollable urge to dig in sand and pee or poop as it strikes them. Cats also cover up their holes. I dug a hole and filled the bottom with moss, twigs, leaves and other such debris. I placed the tree in the hole and holding it with one hand I started scraping sand into the hole. Cappy watched, understood, and came over and started covering up the hole.
I noticed yesterday that Annie is getting fat or getting fur or both.
9/12/07
The geese are jogging this week. Sometimes they are up before the sun. You can hear them. These are exercises for the kids, endurance and flight formation, and limbering up the old folks.
9/15/07
Something going on with Brat. Very vocal.
We are slipping into Indian Summer. Cooler. Sunny. Shorter days.
Bees and the hummingbird feeder. In the July heat, the bees discover the feeder. As it cools some leave and a few stay on, having discovered a good thing. The ones that stay on are fewer but more ornery. They fight other bees (of their own kind) and they even keep off hummingbirds. Well, in the Spring, tom turkeys sometimes discover a clean chrome bumper, see their reflection and fluff, display, and peck the bumper. Sometimes on our deck, the same thing occurs when they see their reflection in the sliding glass doors. Well, these bees see their reflection in the windows near the feeder and they fly forcefully into the window and again and then again. Kind of like an insect replica of a couple of billy goats -- ‘cept one goat is a reflection. They really bang into the window. I have never seen one bang hard enough to drop to the ground, but hard enough to wobble a little. A dizzy bee?
9/17/07
Manners and Cappy are shut in to the Sun Room overnight. On a table, I put a hard cat food feeder and two saucers of soft. They are secure there. They are also not running through the house knocking things over. So, last night I forgot the hard cat food. It is a feeder, when full maybe good for a week. They always nibble a bit of hard food. This morning the saucers were licked clean. And on the table was the bottom half of a half eaten mouse. You don’t suppose they were trying to tell me something?
Monday, September 10, 2007
Landed in Oregon X
September 7, 2007
It rained steadily a couple of hours. The earth sighed.
9/8/07
Cleaned the poop out of Annie’s pen. We have a 30 inch tray, about a foot wide. She pees in one part of the tray and poops at the other end. Annie takes her poop very seriously. She stepped, err hopped aside to let me shovel and when I carried a load of her pot out of the pen she immediately went and inspected. Like so many animals -- us too -- the prominent question is: What’s going on? What’s happening?
Today prepared raised bed for planting. Went to the Greensprings Nursery and bought flowers and trees and lettuce and onions.
9/9/07
Grandparents’ day. Off to spend time with A.J., almost 3 years old. Her mother (A.J. helped) had done chalk drawings on the sidewalk in front of their home. Went to the D.Q. Of course, A.J. is very smart. She does a passable job with scissors now. She is about where I was at age six. Hey! She said she loved Poppy.
Cappy or Capper or Casper, our white, deaf, long hair (now with short hair) Manx has become quite a hunter. He hunts birds and lizards and grasshoppers and dragonflies. Yesterday when I water the trees in the upper and lower pastures, he joined me. He made sure it was me. He watched. He followed me around at I watered. He got bored. For awhile he disappeared off into the bushes. He showed up again as I was about to drive the mowing tractor back to the house. I picked him up and offered to let him ride in my lap. He preferred the hood of the tractor. He stayed on the hood all the way back to the tractor shed -- may be 100 yards.
Pet Peeve. I read an article about how this some animal had human-like traits. It seems like it is always that way. Scientists are loath to guess what goes on within these creatures and things. Though approving Darwin, they are also loath to say this is where we came from and we brought most of our traits from these other critters and things. They say, Very few fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals and rocks and trees have human-like traits. But it didn’t work that way. The other way. They were here first. We, humans, have a lot of traits like fish, reptiles, birds, amphibians, mammals, trees and rocks. That is no surprise at all. That is where we got them.
Today, planted lettuce and onions for winter.
It rained steadily a couple of hours. The earth sighed.
9/8/07
Cleaned the poop out of Annie’s pen. We have a 30 inch tray, about a foot wide. She pees in one part of the tray and poops at the other end. Annie takes her poop very seriously. She stepped, err hopped aside to let me shovel and when I carried a load of her pot out of the pen she immediately went and inspected. Like so many animals -- us too -- the prominent question is: What’s going on? What’s happening?
Today prepared raised bed for planting. Went to the Greensprings Nursery and bought flowers and trees and lettuce and onions.
9/9/07
Grandparents’ day. Off to spend time with A.J., almost 3 years old. Her mother (A.J. helped) had done chalk drawings on the sidewalk in front of their home. Went to the D.Q. Of course, A.J. is very smart. She does a passable job with scissors now. She is about where I was at age six. Hey! She said she loved Poppy.
Cappy or Capper or Casper, our white, deaf, long hair (now with short hair) Manx has become quite a hunter. He hunts birds and lizards and grasshoppers and dragonflies. Yesterday when I water the trees in the upper and lower pastures, he joined me. He made sure it was me. He watched. He followed me around at I watered. He got bored. For awhile he disappeared off into the bushes. He showed up again as I was about to drive the mowing tractor back to the house. I picked him up and offered to let him ride in my lap. He preferred the hood of the tractor. He stayed on the hood all the way back to the tractor shed -- may be 100 yards.
Pet Peeve. I read an article about how this some animal had human-like traits. It seems like it is always that way. Scientists are loath to guess what goes on within these creatures and things. Though approving Darwin, they are also loath to say this is where we came from and we brought most of our traits from these other critters and things. They say, Very few fish, reptiles, amphibians, birds, mammals and rocks and trees have human-like traits. But it didn’t work that way. The other way. They were here first. We, humans, have a lot of traits like fish, reptiles, birds, amphibians, mammals, trees and rocks. That is no surprise at all. That is where we got them.
Today, planted lettuce and onions for winter.
Monday, September 3, 2007
Landed in Oregon IX
August 27, 2007
Haven’t noticed the deer so much since our return from Montana. Apples are laying about on the ground. Tonight, though, the mother doe and fawn were here, and an early adult spike and doe were here.
August 28, 2007
The squirrels were getting into the feeder. So, Sharon put a cover above it. Then Fiona started raiding the feeder. So, we relocated it to the deck. Where Cappy found it easier to catch the finch and other birds. So, ...?
I need to note Fiona. She had to learn raiding the feeders from watching birds. However I have not seen evidence of other deer learning to raid feeders from Fiona. So at this time we just have a genius doe.
August 30, 2007
The long, hot summer. Cappy, white, deaf, hunts grasshoppers in the driveway. And he rolls in the dust. Does it just come naturally or did he learn from watching the turkeys. Who, by the way, are starting to group up with both sexes. Cappy comes into the house now, mostly grey, a cloud of dust.
When it became hot in July, the bees started hitting the hummingbird feeders. Now it is not so hot. But it is drier. Today I watched one bee fend off repeated hummer efforts to reach the feeder.
September 3, 2007
Summer is the Velcro Season. It starts maybe in July when the blooms shrivel and the seeds form and last until after the Fall rains. The seeds stick to socks and shoelaces, but not to leather. They stick to denim and hair on arms, legs, head. They sneak into washers and dryers and come out on socks and shorts and bras, surprises (and curses) first thing in the morning. I keep thinking I will plan a Velcro campaign in early summer. Maybe next year.
Today I watered the five trees (planted year before last) on the other side of the creek, adjacent to the kennel. They are doing fine. The vines are running wild. My son Luke said hello (another story). I will devote a little time to whacking vines.
Haven’t noticed the deer so much since our return from Montana. Apples are laying about on the ground. Tonight, though, the mother doe and fawn were here, and an early adult spike and doe were here.
August 28, 2007
The squirrels were getting into the feeder. So, Sharon put a cover above it. Then Fiona started raiding the feeder. So, we relocated it to the deck. Where Cappy found it easier to catch the finch and other birds. So, ...?
I need to note Fiona. She had to learn raiding the feeders from watching birds. However I have not seen evidence of other deer learning to raid feeders from Fiona. So at this time we just have a genius doe.
August 30, 2007
The long, hot summer. Cappy, white, deaf, hunts grasshoppers in the driveway. And he rolls in the dust. Does it just come naturally or did he learn from watching the turkeys. Who, by the way, are starting to group up with both sexes. Cappy comes into the house now, mostly grey, a cloud of dust.
When it became hot in July, the bees started hitting the hummingbird feeders. Now it is not so hot. But it is drier. Today I watched one bee fend off repeated hummer efforts to reach the feeder.
September 3, 2007
Summer is the Velcro Season. It starts maybe in July when the blooms shrivel and the seeds form and last until after the Fall rains. The seeds stick to socks and shoelaces, but not to leather. They stick to denim and hair on arms, legs, head. They sneak into washers and dryers and come out on socks and shorts and bras, surprises (and curses) first thing in the morning. I keep thinking I will plan a Velcro campaign in early summer. Maybe next year.
Today I watered the five trees (planted year before last) on the other side of the creek, adjacent to the kennel. They are doing fine. The vines are running wild. My son Luke said hello (another story). I will devote a little time to whacking vines.
Monday, August 27, 2007
Landed in Oregon VIII
August 23, 2007
I was watering the yard yesterday, and there was a great ruckus in the trees along the creek. Suddenly, a loud hawk (mid sized) appeared. It was looking down at me. There was a similar squawking from where it came. Had a hawk invaded another’s turf? Then the other hawk flew in. They squawked at each other loudly. After awhile they squawked together. In harmony. Was this like a Hollywood musical? Was I hearing a mating ritual? Or a shouting match? The first hawk took off, landing in the top of a fir a couple of hundred feet away. Looking at me. The other hawk was quiet. The first hawk eventually flew off.
Woodpecker working on the mullein. We saw mullein all along the route to Montana. We need a camera to catch the woodpecker.
Watered along the hillside above the creek. The trees are doing okay -- better than I expected. This may be the last watering of the year. The dawn redwood is so strange. Earlier, I think it got dry and decided that the season was over. It dried up and started shedding needles. When I watered I thought it was dying. When I watered, it thought a new season had begun. Little green shoots appeared all over it. Looks scruffy: the dead needles and the new growth.
August 24, 2007
Second bacon and tomato sandwiches of the season. Tomatoes from the garden. Like tacos, BLTs are the food of the gods.
Watered the lower pasture. Murphy Sequoia looked okay. All the trees are going to make it.
In the goaty boys, Brat’s pasture, there also is mullein and the woodpecker is working them.
August 25, 2007
It is late August, hot and dry, and the hen turkeys are assembling. I think this happens first, by sex, and it is here that they first learn the pecking order. The young hens, high school now, are still a little scrawny. They have started afternoon dusting (I kind of like “wallowing”) themselves in the pumpkin patch. Soon, there will be pumpkins and no leaves or vines or blossoms.
(I wonder if Wallowa Lake is from “wallow?”)
Sun flowers first blooming in the garden. Have one watermelon about the size of a soft ball. .. I’m starting to get anxious. Lots of tomatoes.
Had cucumbers nearly a month ago. In the hot months, real people have sliced cukes with sliced onions, in real cream and vinegar and salt and pepper, chilled. That is what “cool as a cucumber” is all about.
August 26, 2007.
We had A.J. overnight. She enjoyed her raised garden more this time. She ate many tomatoes. They squirt when you chomp down on them and she has promised to never again squirt grandma. Today -- proudly showing me -- she took a box home, saying she would share with her mother. She is two-going-on-ten -- so amazing.
The driveway. It is a kind of embarrassing that I haven’t mentioned it. I guess, when people arrive home, they enter their driveway, come to a stop, and say, “I’m home.” How many people have a driveway 100 yards long? Or, how about: I’m going to go to work now and it is 100 yards before one reaches the highway/road? Everyone ought to have one. Twenty feet wide (legally). A single dirt, gravel lane. About half down hill and half uphill. With a culvert in the middle. Most of it is lined by tall pine or fir. There are places where the canopy is complete. There will come a time when one of these trees is going to fall and close the road. Then we will have to cut ourselves out. “I’m sorry I can’t come to work this morning. A tree fell across my driveway and I need to cut it out.” About one-quarter of its length is fenced (by Gary). Cottonwood and ferns down by the creek (intermittent). There is an effect of driving through a band of trees to reach an opening into the larger property. In the ten years here we went through two bridges. For whatever reason, the price for bridges soared, and we are now trying a culvert. We share the driveway with one other family (soon to be two).
Summer has changed. It is still hot. The range of temperature is wider -- swings of fifty degrees. The heat can be as intense but not as long. It seems the day is slower to heat up and quicker to cool down. Nice.
I was watering the yard yesterday, and there was a great ruckus in the trees along the creek. Suddenly, a loud hawk (mid sized) appeared. It was looking down at me. There was a similar squawking from where it came. Had a hawk invaded another’s turf? Then the other hawk flew in. They squawked at each other loudly. After awhile they squawked together. In harmony. Was this like a Hollywood musical? Was I hearing a mating ritual? Or a shouting match? The first hawk took off, landing in the top of a fir a couple of hundred feet away. Looking at me. The other hawk was quiet. The first hawk eventually flew off.
Woodpecker working on the mullein. We saw mullein all along the route to Montana. We need a camera to catch the woodpecker.
Watered along the hillside above the creek. The trees are doing okay -- better than I expected. This may be the last watering of the year. The dawn redwood is so strange. Earlier, I think it got dry and decided that the season was over. It dried up and started shedding needles. When I watered I thought it was dying. When I watered, it thought a new season had begun. Little green shoots appeared all over it. Looks scruffy: the dead needles and the new growth.
August 24, 2007
Second bacon and tomato sandwiches of the season. Tomatoes from the garden. Like tacos, BLTs are the food of the gods.
Watered the lower pasture. Murphy Sequoia looked okay. All the trees are going to make it.
In the goaty boys, Brat’s pasture, there also is mullein and the woodpecker is working them.
August 25, 2007
It is late August, hot and dry, and the hen turkeys are assembling. I think this happens first, by sex, and it is here that they first learn the pecking order. The young hens, high school now, are still a little scrawny. They have started afternoon dusting (I kind of like “wallowing”) themselves in the pumpkin patch. Soon, there will be pumpkins and no leaves or vines or blossoms.
(I wonder if Wallowa Lake is from “wallow?”)
Sun flowers first blooming in the garden. Have one watermelon about the size of a soft ball. .. I’m starting to get anxious. Lots of tomatoes.
Had cucumbers nearly a month ago. In the hot months, real people have sliced cukes with sliced onions, in real cream and vinegar and salt and pepper, chilled. That is what “cool as a cucumber” is all about.
August 26, 2007.
We had A.J. overnight. She enjoyed her raised garden more this time. She ate many tomatoes. They squirt when you chomp down on them and she has promised to never again squirt grandma. Today -- proudly showing me -- she took a box home, saying she would share with her mother. She is two-going-on-ten -- so amazing.
The driveway. It is a kind of embarrassing that I haven’t mentioned it. I guess, when people arrive home, they enter their driveway, come to a stop, and say, “I’m home.” How many people have a driveway 100 yards long? Or, how about: I’m going to go to work now and it is 100 yards before one reaches the highway/road? Everyone ought to have one. Twenty feet wide (legally). A single dirt, gravel lane. About half down hill and half uphill. With a culvert in the middle. Most of it is lined by tall pine or fir. There are places where the canopy is complete. There will come a time when one of these trees is going to fall and close the road. Then we will have to cut ourselves out. “I’m sorry I can’t come to work this morning. A tree fell across my driveway and I need to cut it out.” About one-quarter of its length is fenced (by Gary). Cottonwood and ferns down by the creek (intermittent). There is an effect of driving through a band of trees to reach an opening into the larger property. In the ten years here we went through two bridges. For whatever reason, the price for bridges soared, and we are now trying a culvert. We share the driveway with one other family (soon to be two).
Summer has changed. It is still hot. The range of temperature is wider -- swings of fifty degrees. The heat can be as intense but not as long. It seems the day is slower to heat up and quicker to cool down. Nice.
Sunday, August 26, 2007
Landed in Oregon VI
August 6, 2007
Cleaning ladies. Right here. Right now. Cleaning the house. Top to bottom. First time. Why? It’s a great idea, but why now? Ah! Daughter is bringing a boy friend to visit! Now, she has done this before. Why now? Something special! No one has said there is something special. Something special ... anyhow... anyway. Excitement! The tempo of August dog days has picked up.
More tomatoes. Still don’t look like Brandywines.
Near the walnut tree we have a stump that is slowly decaying. Last year and this year, from time to time a critter comes and scratches at it. It is starting to pull away on one side. It has attracted yellow jackets. They are either living in or dining in. I haven’t figured it out yet.
Weaning. Last week I looked out the kitchen window and watched finch on the sunflower bird feeder. There were two eating away. And there, three or four inches away, was a third, slightly smaller, facing one of the others, with its beak open and wings quivering. The baby. So, every so often the adult would go over and regurgitate (I guess) into the baby’s beak. I did not wait around while this enabling behavior was going on. I don’t know when the young finch got the idea. It could watch its folks feed out of the trough. The trough was right there. It could feed out of the trough at any time.
Next example. June. Swallows. Early on they swoop and dive and gurgle sweet nothings at each other. But in June there is this (relatively speaking) a squawking that starts to occur. You look up and there are three swallows. The squeaking squawker is the one chasing the other two. It is slightly smaller. They are swooping and diving, in a mature swallow way, the squeaker is frantically flapping behind them. They could easily ditch junior or miss, but don’t. They gather their dinner and frantic flapper observes. Maybe. Finally. I never waited around for that a-ha moment.
Finally, week before last, the young osprey were getting their final flight training. Then last weeks the folks vamoosed. The youngster sat in the nest or on the crossbar of the power pole -- alone. And finally the youngster was gone. The nest is about a mile from the river. I don’t know what happened to the stalwart and lonely bird. I don’t know if its folks were watching from afar. Ready to rescue. I hope for the best.
In the summer when I was going on thirteen, one afternoon someone came up the house and told my mom that my dad wanted me down at the shop. Very unusual. The shop is where he repaired shoes and harness and made saddles. I hustled my buns right down there. He told me to go get my sleeping bag and pack my stuff because I was going out to a ranch to work for the summer. He introduced me to a paunchy man in Levis and a clean flannel shirt, saying he would pick me up at the house in one hour. My mom helped in the packing. I worked three summers for them and another four summers for ranchers in the area. It took me awhile to get the hang of it. There were places where there was no electricity and no hot water and no showers. During this whole time, with the exception of one six week period, the food was always good -- and sometimes great! When I was working out in the summers and going to college in the winter my folks always kept a bed for me. Pretty nice.
Today Sharon and I checked the plum tree. Plums are about the size of apricots. Not ripe. Sharon had to try. Pucker. Pucker. She ate it all. Clearly the tree could use some water so we set up a sprinkler. On the way to the tree Sharon spotted a nest of bees. It was about seven feet high in a madrone above the path to the plum tree. Like those bee hives one sees in children’s books. Paper wasps. Black, Sharon said. The black bee is the paper wasp.
August 8, 2007
The boys, Cappy and Manny, sleep in the sun room. We don’t want them in the house because they wake up and play and create loud ruckuses. We fear turning them loose in the wild at night. Great horned owls like skunks and probably like cats as well. So, we lock them up.
This morning when I went out to let them out, they were sleeping together. Just like when they were kittens. Guess Manny no longer finds Cappy (post surgery) an alien cat.
August 9, 2007
This morning I had a epitamy. An epitamy is a small epiphany. I was holding a slice of bread for Annie to chew on. Brat likes one to hold his bread also. I guess in the wild, the bush, leaves or grass they eat is made easier when the plant resists. That way they can bite off, a bite and pulling action, what they want. Also, it holds food at a convenient level for the animal.
So, I was acting like a bread bush and thinking that Annie really ought to be called Digger. She has mounds of dirt all over her pen. She has holes she has dug all over her pen. On hot days, she rolls in the dust. She is covered with dirt and dust. Ah-ha! Here it comes: Annie is a “dust bunny.” I had never made the connection before.
August 11, 2007
We have had some cooler weather. Mornings have been running in the mid-forties. Afternoons can hit mid nineties or low one hundreds. By bedtime, back to fifties-sixties. A fifty-sixty degree swing. Might change clothes 2-3 times a day. I have lived in other locales with this kind of swing. I never noticed so much. (Maybe, now, it is a sign of age.)
August 12, 2007
On the Rogue River today with loved ones. Osprey, heron, bald eagles, beaver lodge, young Canada geese learning to fly and sunburn.
Going on vacation. Now where would a person who lives in a forested area go on vacation? Of course! To another forested area.
Cleaning ladies. Right here. Right now. Cleaning the house. Top to bottom. First time. Why? It’s a great idea, but why now? Ah! Daughter is bringing a boy friend to visit! Now, she has done this before. Why now? Something special! No one has said there is something special. Something special ... anyhow... anyway. Excitement! The tempo of August dog days has picked up.
More tomatoes. Still don’t look like Brandywines.
Near the walnut tree we have a stump that is slowly decaying. Last year and this year, from time to time a critter comes and scratches at it. It is starting to pull away on one side. It has attracted yellow jackets. They are either living in or dining in. I haven’t figured it out yet.
Weaning. Last week I looked out the kitchen window and watched finch on the sunflower bird feeder. There were two eating away. And there, three or four inches away, was a third, slightly smaller, facing one of the others, with its beak open and wings quivering. The baby. So, every so often the adult would go over and regurgitate (I guess) into the baby’s beak. I did not wait around while this enabling behavior was going on. I don’t know when the young finch got the idea. It could watch its folks feed out of the trough. The trough was right there. It could feed out of the trough at any time.
Next example. June. Swallows. Early on they swoop and dive and gurgle sweet nothings at each other. But in June there is this (relatively speaking) a squawking that starts to occur. You look up and there are three swallows. The squeaking squawker is the one chasing the other two. It is slightly smaller. They are swooping and diving, in a mature swallow way, the squeaker is frantically flapping behind them. They could easily ditch junior or miss, but don’t. They gather their dinner and frantic flapper observes. Maybe. Finally. I never waited around for that a-ha moment.
Finally, week before last, the young osprey were getting their final flight training. Then last weeks the folks vamoosed. The youngster sat in the nest or on the crossbar of the power pole -- alone. And finally the youngster was gone. The nest is about a mile from the river. I don’t know what happened to the stalwart and lonely bird. I don’t know if its folks were watching from afar. Ready to rescue. I hope for the best.
In the summer when I was going on thirteen, one afternoon someone came up the house and told my mom that my dad wanted me down at the shop. Very unusual. The shop is where he repaired shoes and harness and made saddles. I hustled my buns right down there. He told me to go get my sleeping bag and pack my stuff because I was going out to a ranch to work for the summer. He introduced me to a paunchy man in Levis and a clean flannel shirt, saying he would pick me up at the house in one hour. My mom helped in the packing. I worked three summers for them and another four summers for ranchers in the area. It took me awhile to get the hang of it. There were places where there was no electricity and no hot water and no showers. During this whole time, with the exception of one six week period, the food was always good -- and sometimes great! When I was working out in the summers and going to college in the winter my folks always kept a bed for me. Pretty nice.
Today Sharon and I checked the plum tree. Plums are about the size of apricots. Not ripe. Sharon had to try. Pucker. Pucker. She ate it all. Clearly the tree could use some water so we set up a sprinkler. On the way to the tree Sharon spotted a nest of bees. It was about seven feet high in a madrone above the path to the plum tree. Like those bee hives one sees in children’s books. Paper wasps. Black, Sharon said. The black bee is the paper wasp.
August 8, 2007
The boys, Cappy and Manny, sleep in the sun room. We don’t want them in the house because they wake up and play and create loud ruckuses. We fear turning them loose in the wild at night. Great horned owls like skunks and probably like cats as well. So, we lock them up.
This morning when I went out to let them out, they were sleeping together. Just like when they were kittens. Guess Manny no longer finds Cappy (post surgery) an alien cat.
August 9, 2007
This morning I had a epitamy. An epitamy is a small epiphany. I was holding a slice of bread for Annie to chew on. Brat likes one to hold his bread also. I guess in the wild, the bush, leaves or grass they eat is made easier when the plant resists. That way they can bite off, a bite and pulling action, what they want. Also, it holds food at a convenient level for the animal.
So, I was acting like a bread bush and thinking that Annie really ought to be called Digger. She has mounds of dirt all over her pen. She has holes she has dug all over her pen. On hot days, she rolls in the dust. She is covered with dirt and dust. Ah-ha! Here it comes: Annie is a “dust bunny.” I had never made the connection before.
August 11, 2007
We have had some cooler weather. Mornings have been running in the mid-forties. Afternoons can hit mid nineties or low one hundreds. By bedtime, back to fifties-sixties. A fifty-sixty degree swing. Might change clothes 2-3 times a day. I have lived in other locales with this kind of swing. I never noticed so much. (Maybe, now, it is a sign of age.)
August 12, 2007
On the Rogue River today with loved ones. Osprey, heron, bald eagles, beaver lodge, young Canada geese learning to fly and sunburn.
Going on vacation. Now where would a person who lives in a forested area go on vacation? Of course! To another forested area.
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